United States Personal Chef Association

What United States Personal Chef Association does

United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA) is a professional trade association serving independent personal chefs and small chef businesses across North America. Founded in 1991 and operated by Association Solutions Network, LLC (a Florida LLC based in Gotha, FL), USPCA functions as a one-stop shop for personal chef business operations, with only 4 named staff members. Its core offerings are tiered memberships (Premier $325–$400/yr, Provisional $400/325, Preparatory $595 one-time, Student $90/yr, Corporate $475–$650/yr) bundled with a $1M general liability insurance program, a HireAChef.com consumer-facing lead-generation marketplace, the federally registered Certified Personal Chef (CPC) credential (established 1996), a quarterly Personal Chef Magazine, and an annual National Education Conference.

The association's technology backbone is the MemberClicks membership management platform, which handles applications, member-only portal access, payment processing, and event registration. The proprietary HireAChef.com marketplace provides consumer search and booking feeds exclusively to member chefs, and a Modernmeal integration offers members a 20% discount on a digital recipe, customer, and meal-planning platform. The 13 local chapters, the private "I am a Personal Chef" Facebook group, and ongoing partner integrations (American Express, VISA Signature, NRFSP food safety, CSA senior advisor, KitchenAid, GoDaddy, AFLAC, Webstaurant) form a layered ecosystem.

USPCA's revenue model blends recurring membership dues with tiered corporate partnership sponsorships (Executive $15K, Strategic $10K, Corporate $5K), certification fees, conference registrations, and add-on training/coaching services. Geographic coverage spans the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with the association positioning itself as the largest and most well-established personal chef association in North America.

Name

United States Personal Chef Association

Legal name

Association Solutions Network, LLC

Website

https://uspca.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United States Personal Chef Association is a 30+ year North American trade association serving independent personal chefs through tiered memberships, the federally registered CPC credential, group liability insurance, a HireAChef.com consumer marketplace, and an annual National Education Conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Orlando

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual recurring membership dues across five tiers: Premier ($400 first year / $325 renewal), Provisional ($400 / $325), Preparatory ($595 one-time, auto-transfers), Student ($90/year), and Corporate ($475–$650 annual). Payment plans available for two or three consecutive monthly installments. U.S. Military Veterans receive discounts.
2. Partnership Sponsorships: Tiered corporate sponsorship program for vendors seeking access to USPCA's personal chef audience: Executive Partner ($15,000), Strategic Partner ($10,000), and Corporate Partner ($5,000). Benefits include magazine advertising, conference exhibit placement, branded placement on USPCA and HireAChef home pages/blogs, direct email support, and product presentations at the National Education Conference.
3. Certification Fees: Certified Personal Chef (CPC) credential program — federally registered trademark granted to chefs with minimum two full years of experience who meet documented standards in food safety, sanitation, nutrition, business management, and culinary expertise.
4. National Education Conference Revenue: Annual National Education Conference featuring three days of speakers, demonstrations, hands-on experiences, tastings, and networking. Conference registrations, exhibitor fees, and program advertising generate revenue.
5. Training and Coaching Programs: Preparatory Membership and add-on training/coaching programs including one-on-one coaching with Chef Monica Thomas (sold in single-hour or 8-hour blocks) and partnerships with Culinary Business Institute for professional training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

USPCA is a professional membership association for personal chefs offering tiered membership (Premier, Provisional, Preparatory, Student, Corporate) bundled with $1M general liability insurance, HireAChef.com consumer directory listings, the federally registered Certified Personal Chef (CPC) credential, food safety training, a quarterly magazine, an annual National Education Conference, business coaching, and discount purchasing programs. The association also operates HireAChef.com, a consumer-facing marketplace that connects member chefs with prospective clients.

Product overview

USPCA is a professional association (not a software platform) that delivers a portfolio of membership tiers and member benefits built around the personal chef profession. The core offering is a tiered Membership program (Premier, Provisional, Preparatory, Student, Corporate) anchored by general liability insurance and a HireAChef.com consumer directory listing. Layered on top are the Certified Personal Chef (CPC) credential, Food Safety Training (delivered via partnership with the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals), the Personal Chef Magazine periodical, and the annual National Education Conference. Member-exclusive services include Tailored Taste Personal Chef Coaching and access to the Modernmeal culinary management platform at a 20% discount. The Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) credential program is offered via partnership with the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HireAChef.com: USPCA's consumer-facing member directory/lead-generation portal that lists USPCA member personal chefs for prospective clients.
• Personal Chef Magazine
• Breakfast Blend Newsletter
• Certified Personal Chef (CPC)

Products and services

• Premier Membership The complete USPCA benefits package for personal chefs operating an established personal or private chef business. Priced at $400 first year and $325 renewal, it includes $1 million general liability insurance, HireAChef.com listing, Personal Chef Magazine, National Education Conference access, certification pathways, networking, and discount purchasing benefits.
• Provisional Membership Membership tier for personal chefs just establishing their business, offering all Premier benefits during the first year. Requires a minimum Certified Food Handler Certificate; $400 first year with renewal at $325 after meeting Premier requirements.
• Preparatory Membership Comprehensive training and coaching package for chefs starting a personal chef business. Includes self-guided online training, one-on-one coaching with Chef Monica Thomas, web tutorial, food handler training, instructional videos, business tutoring, and private Facebook group access. Priced at $595; members auto-transfer to Premier or Provisional Membership upon completion.
• Student Membership Provides students in approved culinary programs access to most Premier Member benefits (excluding liability insurance and HireAChef.com listing). Priced at $90 per year, limited to four-year terms. Requires proof of enrollment in an approved culinary program.
• Corporate Membership Membership for personal chef businesses employing one to five additional personal chefs. Provides chef-owner and employee-chefs access to USPCA benefits including general liability insurance, HireAChef.com listings, and member discounts. Tiered pricing: Primary Plus One ($600 initial / $475 annual), Primary Plus Two ($650 / $520), Primary Plus Three to Five ($725 / $650).
• Certified Personal Chef (CPC) Credential Federally registered trademark credential created by USPCA in 1996 to provide a standard for assessing personal chef competency, enable self-regulation of the industry, and provide industry recognition. Requires minimum two years of personal chef experience plus demonstrated expertise in food safety, sanitation, nutrition, menu planning, business operations, and measurable work experience.
• HireAChef.com Online consumer-facing directory where consumers can search for and hire personal chefs. USPCA members receive a free basic listing with option to upgrade. The platform provides leads directly to chefs based on their membership profile and is accessible on desktop and mobile devices.
• Personal Chef Magazine Quarterly print and online periodical published for personal chefs by personal chefs, providing business, culinary, and personal stories to enrich members' businesses. Available in print and online to members.
• National Education Conference Annual three-day conference featuring education, speakers, demonstrations, hands-on experiences, tastings, and networking for personal chefs. Moves around the country to enable broader participation and rotate market exposure for members. The 2026 conference is being planned.
• Food Safety Training (NRFSP Partnership) Online Food Handler Training certificate program provided in partnership with the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Restaurant Association). Required for USPCA Personal Chef certification; members receive discounted training and exams. NRFSP programs are nationally accredited.
• Tailored Taste Personal Chef Coaching One-on-one email, video, and telephone coaching offered by Chef Monica Thomas (2012 Personal Chef of the Year, owner of Tailored Taste Personal Chef Service) for new and experienced chefs. Topics include typical personal chef service, business setup, contracts, costing, containers, and storage options. Available in single-hour or 8-hour blocks with USPCA member discounts.
• Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) Credential Program Educational partnership with the Society of Certified Senior Advisors offering CSA course training at USPCA members-only pricing. Enables personal chefs to obtain a CSA credential to better serve senior clients, with program nationally accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1,000,000 General Liability Insurance per occurrence included with membership
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide USPCA members with discounted food safety credentials, including food manager and handler certificates. NRFSP programs are nationally accredited and NRFSP is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Restaurant Association. Members must complete a food handler certificate course as a condition of membership.
• Society of Certified Senior Advisors (CSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership offering USPCA members special pricing on the Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) course and accredited certification examination. The CSA program is nationally accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and prepares chefs to work with seniors and their families.
• American ExpresscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive partnership to provide Personal Chef services to American Express cardholders. One of two named national partnership organizations cited as a benefit of USPCA membership.
• VISA SignaturecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive partnership to provide Personal Chef services to VISA Signature cardholders. One of two named national partnership organizations cited as a benefit of USPCA membership.
• KitchenAidminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiscount partner providing USPCA members with product discounts on KitchenAid appliances and tools.
• WebstaurantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiscount purchasing partner offering supplies and equipment pricing for USPCA members.
• ModernmealcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital recipe, customer, and meal-planning platform designed for personal chefs. USPCA members receive a 20% discount on Modernmeal's Culinary Pro plan. Modernmeal Connect feature enables chef community interaction.
• Culinary Business InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides professional Personal Chef business training programs that USPCA members can access; Personal Chef & Dinner Parties 1-2-3 online training with assessment is included in Preparatory Membership.
• Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaboration between FGCU and USPCA on training opportunities for students and personal chef professionals.
• HUB International SoutheastcoreOthersInsurance broker that administers the USPCA group liability insurance program. Located at 1560 Orange Ave Suite 750, Winter Park, FL 32789; handles claims reporting for members.
• MemberClickscoreTechnology or IntegrationPowers the USPCA membership platform including member applications, payments, member-only portal, and event registration. Members apply via uspca.memberclicks.net.
• AFLACminorOthersInsurance partner providing USPCA members with exclusive discounts on AFLAC supplemental insurance products.
• Health Insurance Exchange providers (Blue Cross, Aetna, Assurant, Cigna, Humana)minorOthersHealth Insurance Exchange giving USPCA members access to compare multiple top-rated carriers in a single call, including Federal and State Marketplaces with discounted rates and coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• Denise VivaldominorOthersAuthor and friend of USPCA who wrote 'How To Start A Home-Based Personal Chef Business'; USPCA members receive an exclusive discount on the book.
• American Culinary FederationminorOthersIndustry organization that Chef Scott Wilson (2006 USPCA Chef of the Year) was inducted into as a member of the American Academy of Chefs; member chefs hold dual affiliations.
• Canadian Personal Chef AssociationminorOthersSister association in Canada whose members also participate in USPCA; Mia Andrews serves as President. Endorses Modernmeal platform.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Culinary Federation (ACF): Largest U.S. professional chef association with a longer history (founded 1929) and broader culinary scope. ACF competes for chef memberships and certifications but serves the entire culinary profession rather than specializing in personal chefs, making it the closest established incumbent peer.
• National Restaurant Association: Largest U.S. foodservice trade association and parent of USPCA's food-safety partner (NRFSP). Operates an adjacent membership, training, and certification model in the broader foodservices industry rather than specializing in personal chefs.
• Thumbtack: Large U.S. services marketplace where personal chefs acquire consumer leads through paid lead generation. Indirectly competes with HireAChef.com by capturing the same consumer intent and routing it through a generic services marketplace rather than a culinary-specialized channel.

Direct peers

• International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP): U.S.-based professional association for culinary professionals that, like USPCA, sells membership tiers, runs an annual conference, administers certifications, and publishes member content. IACP's audience is broader (food writers, chefs, educators) but the operating model and member-benefit bundle map directly to USPCA.
• Cozymeal: Consumer-facing marketplace that connects diners with private chefs and cooking classes. Competes directly with HireAChef.com for consumer-side personal chef discovery and bookings, representing the modern digital alternative to USPCA's directory.
• Take a Chef: Global personal chef booking marketplace operating in 30+ countries with a transactional booking layer. Comparable to HireAChef.com in consumer-facing functionality, but operates at greater scale and with built-in payment/booking infrastructure that USPCA lacks.

Regional players

• Canadian Personal Chef Association: Sister trade association explicitly named in USPCA's own partnership records; serves Canadian personal chefs with a similar membership, certification, and community model. Directly comparable operating model but operates in Canada rather than the U.S.
• La Belle Assiette: European personal chef marketplace (UK/France) that connects diners with vetted private chefs via a transactional booking platform. Comparable in consumer-facing marketplace functionality to HireAChef.com but operating in Europe rather than North America.

Others

• Modernmeal: Digital recipe, customer, and meal-planning platform purpose-built for personal chefs. Named USPCA technology partner offering members a 20% discount; comparable in serving the same chef persona but as a SaaS productivity layer rather than a membership association.
• Society of Certified Senior Advisors (CSA): Nationally accredited certification body for senior-serving professionals and a USPCA strategic partner offering the CSA credential to chef members. Comparable as an adjacent credentialing organization that addresses an overlapping end-customer demographic (seniors and their families).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/USPCA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/USPersonalChefsAssn
• Facebookfacebook.com/USPCASanAntonio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-states-personal-chef-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/uspca
• Pinterestpinterest.com/personalchefasn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United States Personal Chef Association